Kibbutz...


After a 4 hour ride south from Tel Aviv, I spotted an oasis in the midst of the sandy beige valley where the highway cuts between two small mountain ranges. Visible from a few kilometers away, the kibbutz appeared small, isolated and sort of randomly plopped down. . . The bus let me off outside the gates and as it sped away, I took a few minutes to take in my surroundings.

I first noticed the heat. I love it, but I believe it's what they mean when people say stifling heat, or "it's so hot I cant breath" or "too hot to move." It does have an oppressive force to it, especially at 1 in the afternoon, especially when trees are sparse. But the kibbutz buildings are air condidtioned and there is a beautiful swimming pool. An additional bonus is that my room is the one with a great porch out front, sheletered by old palm fronds and equipped with chairs, a table and a laundry drying rack. Very luxurious accomodations, but more on that later...

The second thing I noticed upon arrival, as I glanced (unknowingly) at Jordan, which is maybe a mile or so to the east.... was the huge bright green grove of date trees. They are beautiful, but oddly juxtaposed and clearly out of place in the desert. I spoke tonight with a student here at the Arava Institute (an enviromental studies prgroamn based on the kibbutz) and she told me that the use of water for such projects is insane, but that the dates sell for a euro each in Europe.... This conflict, between zionism and environmentalism, between the survival of Israel and the morality of some of its policies seems to be a theme of my trip so far... or at least in the thinking that I am going through...


My new home, Kibbutz Ketura, is about 30 minutes from Eilat. there are about 300 residents, most of whom come originally from the United States, although I met a woman today from Columbia and there are one or two French families. ;) Imagine the liberal hippy, somewhat scruffy, seemingly laid back but extremely productive and well-educated Jews of the park slope Jewish center or the Newton Center Minyan. Well, that;s pretty much the kibbutz populous... Idealist Jews who love living here and work hard to make it work. I spent a few hours tonight with Aliza and her family. (Shes the volunteer coordinator) She and her husband are form NYC and met at a Jewish summer camp. Now they have three little Israel kids running around kibbutz or riding in their playpen on wheels.

The kibbutz sustains itself selling dates, and a dye they make from algae cultivated here. Around us is nothing but mountains, although a few other kibbutzim are nearby. They all go together to a local school a few miles away. There is also a dairy nearby that is supposed to have the best icecream and chocolate milk in Israel. : 0

Because this is getting long, I'll tell about my job and Tel Aviv in other blogs...
Oh!
My phone number is 011-972-52-317-5181
Best times to call are 12:30-4pm or 8:15-11am - It's 7 hours later here than in NY. (I think...)



My address is
Rachel Olstein - VOLUNTEER
Kibbutz Ketura
D.N. Hevel Eilat 88840
ISRAEL

my mom knows how to call for 2 cents a minute. I, unfortuantely, can't call out, and have limited email access, but will do my best to keep in touch. I always like letters the best! And I can always reply on paper!!!!!

More soon!
-r